In an early-season matchup between two well-regarded HS clubs, Berks County Rugby defeated defending Tier II National Champion Vienna 19-12 over the weekend.
The game was played on a crisp, windy day on the picturesque campus of Mount St. Mary's University.
Both teams were still missing key players due to winter sports commitments, but both showed remarkable physicality and skill from the start. Vienna Rugby, fresh off a win against the 2023 Pennsylvania state champions, Gregory the Great, were now facing the team GGA beat in that final, Berks.
The match began with intense physical exchanges, with Vienna breaking the deadlock within the first 15 minutes with a try, taking a 5-0 lead.
Berks responded with sustained pressure in Vienna’s half, leading to a try by sophomore No. 8 Josiah Boyer, who picked the ball from the scrum 10 meters from the tryline and barreled through three defenders, tying the score at 5-5.
Three tries from Josiah Boyer sends Berks past Vienna. Here's one of them. pic.twitter.com/obiLa2GaJP
— Alex Goff (@goffrugbyreport) February 25, 2024
Berks continued to press, with Boyer scoring another try before halftime, giving Berks a 12-5 lead.
